There are 18 species of penguins in the world, all of which are found exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. The giant penguin is the Emperor Penguin. Other notable species include the African Penguin and the Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin species found north of the equator.
These flightless birds are well-adapted to harsh environments. They are known for their distinctive black-and-white plumage, waddling gait, and adorable personalities.
This article unveils some interesting information about the types of penguins. So, let’s get started!
How Many Types of Penguins Are There on Earth and What Are They Called?
Here are the names of the 18 species of penguins:
Adelie Penguin
Chinstrap Penguin
Emperor Penguin
African Penguin
Erect-crested Penguin
Galapagos Penguin
Fiordland Penguin
Gentoo Penguin
King Penguin
Little Penguin
Macaroni Penguin
Humboldt Penguin
Magellanic Penguin
Royal Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Snares Penguin
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Southern Rockhopper Penguin
Each species of penguin has unique characteristics and adaptations that allow them to survive in their specific habitats.
For example, the Emperor Penguins are found in the extremely chilly part of Antarctica and have adapted to withstand the frigid temperatures of their habitat.
On the other hand, the Galapagos penguin is found north of the equator on warm islands. Their biological adaptations are very different from emperor penguins. For instance, they use their flippers to regulate body temperature.
What Are the Main Types of Penguins?
Some of the most well-known and iconic species include the Emperor Penguin, King Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, and Macaroni Penguin.
Did you know? The Emperor Penguin is the largest of all penguin species and is known for its striking black-and-white coloring. It has unique breeding habits, where the male penguin incubates the egg in its brood pouch for nearly two months. ~ Biologicaldiversity.org
How Many Types of Penguins Are There in Antarctica?
Antarctica is home to several species of penguins, which are uniquely adapted to the harsh, icy conditions of the continent.
There are seven species of penguins that can be found in Antarctica, including
- Adelie Penguin
- Gentoo Penguin
- Emperor Penguin
- Macaroni Penguin
- King Penguin
- Chinstrap Penguin
- Rockhopper Penguin
Out of these, the Antarctic continent is the true home of the Emperor and Adelie penguins while the others (including Chinstrap, Gentoo, and Macaroni penguins) reside on the northern part of the Antarctic peninsula.
Penguins of the Antarctic stands out with their black and white feather coat and other distinct features on their heads and necks. For instance, some have yellow patches on their necks, while others have orange beaks. ~ British Antarctic Survey
How Many Types of Penguins Are There in Australia?
Australia’s penguins face countless threats, including disturbances from humans and surprise predator attacks. Some penguin species found in Australia include:
Little Penguin
Also known as fairy penguins, they are the smallest species of penguins in the world.
They inhabit the southern coast of Australia on Montague Island, Sidney’s beach, Victoria’s Phillip Island, and other areas.
King Penguins
King penguins are slightly smaller than emperor penguins. Macquarie Island, Heard Island, and the McDonald Islands are their homes. There are about 70, 000 penguins found at Macquarie Island.
Royal Penguin
Royal penguins also reside in Macquarie Islands. They are closely related to macaroni penguins but can be distinguished from their white facial coloring.
The Southern end of the island, also called Hurd Point, is home to 500,000 pairs alone.
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eastern rockhopper penguins are found on Macquarie Island, Heard Island, and the McDonald Islands.
However, their population has faced a sharp decline because of climate change and competition with commercial fisheries.
Gentoo Penguin
In Australia, gentoo penguin colonies are found in Macquarie and Heard Islands. With their orange bill and long fan tail, they are known for their fast swimming speed of 36 km/h.
Macaroni Penguin
Heard Island and McDonaldIslands are home to macaroni penguins, characterized by their rough yellow plumes. They have black and white faces with a unique golden crest.
Adelie Penguins
Adelie penguins are found in their Australian Antarctic Territory in summer. There are nearly 80, 000 in number at Mawson Station. In winter, they migrate to icy areas for food.
Emperor Penguins
In Winter, Emperor penguins migrate to the Australian Antarctic Territory, where they withstand turbulent blizzards thanks to their specially adapted feather layers.
How Many Types of Penguins Are There in the South Pole/Southern Hemisphere?
The South Pole is located at the southernmost point on Earth, and it is the coldest and driest continent in the world.
The Southern Hemisphere is the region south of the equator that encompasses the entire continent of Antarctica, as well as parts of South America, Africa, Australia, and the southern parts of Asia.
The Southern Hemisphere is home to the largest number of penguin species in the world, with 18 known species in total mentioned above.
How Many Types of Penguins Are There in New Zealand?
New Zealand is home to the following penguin species:
- Yellow-eyed penguin
- Fiordland crested penguin
- Little penguin
In New Zealand, there are two populations of yellow-eyed penguins: the Northern and the Southern population.
The Northern population is found on the South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, and adjacent islands. On the other hand, the Southern population resides on the Subantarctic Auckland Islands and Campbell Island.
The Fiordland crested penguin population numbers between 2,500 and 3,000 breeding pairs. It has been decreasing since the 1950s, susceptible to human disturbance and predation.
Little penguins were once a common sight in Newzealand. However, because of predation attacks from dogs, cats, and ferrets, little penguins have spread out to offshore islands. ~ Department of Conservation
Conclusion
Penguins are incredibly social creatures, often forming large colonies that can number in the thousands.
They communicate with each other through a range of vocalizations and body language, and they work together to raise their young and find food in the surrounding waters.
Unfortunately, many species of penguins are threatened or endangered due to a variety of factors, including climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect these beloved birds and their habitats.
